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Stanislaus County, California
January 10, 2005 (Monday) CERES POLICE SERGEANT KILLED IN EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE Ceres, Ca -- During an exchange of gunfire with an armed suspect Sunday evening, Ceres Police Sergeant Howard “Howie” Stevenson suffered fatal gunshot wounds to his upper body. Sergeant Stevenson had responded to George’s Liquor Store to assist Officer Sam Ryno who had already suffered multiple gunshot wounds from the same suspect. Officer Ryno remains in critical, but stable condition at an area hospital. On Sunday evening at about 8:07 P.M. Officer Ryno responded to George’s Liquor Store at 2125 Caswell Ave. to investigate a report of a man armed with an assault rifle and acting strange in front of the store. When Officer Ryno arrived at the store, the suspect saw him and immediately began firing upon him with a high-powered assault rifle. Officer Ryno was struck by bullets several times in his lower body. An emergency call for officer assistance went out and Sergeant Stevenson was there within seconds. When the suspect saw Sergeant Stevenson he immediately fired on him multiple times. Sergeant Stevenson returned fire, but was struck by bullets several times in his upper body and died almost instantly from his injuries. Other officers and deputies from neighboring agencies responded and quickly set up a perimeter in which they felt they had the suspect contained in the 2200 block of Caswell Ave. At about 11:08 P.M. as officers searched yard to yard for the suspect, he came into the alley north of the 2200 block of Caswell Ave. and opened fire on them. Officers from Modesto Police Department and Deputies from Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office returned gunfire striking the suspect several times and killing him. The suspect was identified as being 19 year-old Andres Raya of Modesto. He had no adult criminal history in this area. A motive for Raya’s attack on the officers has not yet been determined. The investigation is ongoing and investigators are exploring all possibilities. A memorial fund for Sergeant Stevenson and an assistance fund for Officer Ryno have been set up at West America Bank in their names. West America Bank has branches in Ceres, Modesto and Turlock. Anyone wishing to donate to help these families is asked to make their donations at one of those branches. For more information on these funds, please contact West America Bank at (209) 556-1120. For information regarding this press release please contact Sheriff’s Spokesman Jason Woodman (209) 606-8289. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There will be a Town Hall Community Meeting Update on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. at Ceres High School Cafeteria. This meeting is open to all community members. There will also be a candlelight vigil to be held at Ceres High School Stadium on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. This vigil is open to all community members and you are encouraged to come and remember Sergeant Stevenson. Services for Sergeant Stevenson will be held sometime next week. We will update you as this information becomes available. |